Thank you for your interest in Kansas State Rowing! We are proud of the program we are building and the student-athletes who have chosen to take on this challenge and be part of this unique team. We offer the opportunity to learn and excel athletically, academically and personally through your experience here at K-State.

One of the best ways for a prospective student-athlete to choose the right school and program is to visit campus and meet the team. We invite you to visit our university in beautiful Manhattan, Kan., to help in you decide where you would like to pursue your degree.

WELCOME TO K-STATE ROWING!

Coming off best season in 40-year history of the program

Silver at 2014 Big 12 Championships

Bronze at Conference USA Championships

Four Conference Boat of the Week honors

Freshman Noelle Dykmann named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Won 4th straight Sunflower Showdown

As he looks back at the 2014 season, K-State rowing head coach Pat Sweeney can't help but get excited for the future of his team.

A year filled with firsts, the Wildcat rowing squad finished the best season in its 40-year history with program-best finishes at both the Big 12 and Conference USA championships where the team earned silver and bronze, respectively.

"It was fun," Sweeney said about the season. "It's always nice to be going faster, and I was really pleased for the women; they really started feeling it. You could see that they were getting stronger and better as the year went a long."

From opening the year with six first-place finishes at the Longhorn Invitational to the team's fourth consecutive Sunflower Showdown victory to a stellar performance at the SIRA Championship, 2014 just continued to get better and better for K-State rowing.

"If you are methodical on how you approach training and how you prepare, you aren't too surprised," explained Sweeney on the outcome of this season. "You see what works, and what it shows is that how we've prepared from the start, it's working. It's really nice to see that. There were no real surprises, but it was gratifying to see the things we were working towards actually working."

Opened in the Fall of 2013, the new Intercollegiate Rowing Center serves as the on-campus home to K-State Rowing.

The 9,000 square-foot facility, constructed in K-State limestone at a total cost of approximately $2.7 million, is located along Kimball Avenue and adjacent to the east parking lot at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The facility provides an all-inclusive and efficient training facility for the Wildcat rowing program.

"As we continue to strive toward our goal of a model intercollegiate athletics program, the K-State Intercollegiate Rowing Center dramatically enhances the experience of our 90-plus female rowing student-athletes,"Athletics Director John Currie said. "The location of this facility is close to our Academic Learning Center and the new Student-Athlete Performance Table located in the West Stadium Center to help maximize efficiency of our student-athletes. We are excited about the future of K-State rowing and know the Intercollegiate Rowing Center will help foster championship-level athletic performances."

The IRC, which was funded privately through contributions and athletics department revenue without the aid of tax, tuition or general university dollars, includes two state-of-the-art indoor rowing tanks, a new locker room and erg room with more than 40 rowing performance machines and office space for the coaching staff.

Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz believes the new rowing center will be another great addition to the facilities for K-State Athletics and adds to the value of the program’s student-athletes as the university works toward improving academics and athletics.

"We are excited to take this next step in providing our student-athletes and coaching staff with a world-class rowing facility," Schulz said. "They have represented Kansas State University so well, and we are confident this will allow the program to continue moving forward. Enhancing facilities for athletics and academics is a key component as we become a Top 50 public research university by 2025."

The crown jewel of the new facility are two 2,800-gallon indoor rowing tanks that allow for up to 16 rowers to practice at one time and simulate "being on the water" year round.

"We are very thankful to President Kirk Schulz and John Currie for their commitment to our rowing program in building this new facility," Sweeney said. "This facility is a huge step in improving our program as a whole by allowing us to train our athletes on water on a more consistent basis. Having the indoor rowing tanks will help level the playing field from a facilities and training standpoint with our competition, and I expect this to be the next step forward for this program."

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE PERSPECTIVE

Ally Franken, Senior Co Captain

What makes K-State Rowing unique in comparison to other sports (both at K-State and elsewhere)?
Rowing is unlike any other team sport. Rowing requires four or eight individuals to push themselves past their breaking points, while being perfectly in sync. It has no MVPs or star players because the goal is that everyone performs identically. There are no timeouts, substitutions, or halftimes in rowing, it's all-out all the time. Nothing brings you closer to your teammates than knowing that they are working just as hard as you, for the common goal. Rowing is about self-discipline, there is no luck in rowing.

As a former walk-on, what advice do you have for someone considering K-State Rowing?
Joining the team as a walk-on, you really have to work to prove yourself. Some of the best rowers on the team right now are walk-ons. If you're considering joining the team, you have to be prepared. Collegiate athletics is completely different from high school. It's a big commitment and requires dedication and hard work. If you're willing to push yourself, this sport is definitely for you. If you're not, you won't survive a week.

Why should someone consider K-State Rowing?
Rowing gives you the opportunity to become a part of something bigger than yourself at K-State. In high school, I was always playing a sport and on a team, I didn't want to lose that in college. Joining the rowing team surrounds you with like-minded, strong women who you have an immediate bond with. Joining the rowing team was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

As an engineering student, how do balance holding a full-time course load and an athletic workload?
Balancing rowing and school takes a lot of self discipline. Being a student-athlete alone isn't easy, so add a time-consuming major and it's a lot of work. During the week, I focus on two things: rowing and school. I'm definitely not a procrastinator and I do all my homework as soon as it is assigned and I think that makes a huge difference. Especially during erg season, it pays to go to bed early.

Meggie Murray, Senior Co Captain

What is your best memory from last season?Beating OU our first race of the season was an exciting way to start, but I think I'm most proud of our team performance at both SIRAs and C-USA. Both regattas demonstrated our team's depth and determination.

What advice do you have for someone considering K-State Rowing?I have to admit I was hesitant to begin an entirely new sport in college, especially because I knew little about rowing. I'm very thankful that I came up for a visit to see what it was like. I know I would not be where I am today without this amazing experience and the wonderful relationships I have made.

What have you gained from rowing and how will it impact your personal and professional future?I've learned the meaning of dedication, commitment, time-management, and organization. Rowing has taught me to set high standards for myself, which will benefit me for years to come.

As a second-year captain and an outgoing senior, what have you been the most proud of throughout your tenure with K-State Rowing?
Though I'm unbelievably proud of the awards and recognition our team has received, I am most proud of our team's character. I feel unbelievably blessed to be part of such a special, close group of girls. Our mutual commitment to do our best creates a bond that goes far beyond competition.

K-State offers over 250 majors and options in 9 different colleges. No matter which you choose, the quality of a K-State education can be found both in the achievements of its students and by the accolades of its faculty.

In the last 25 years, K-State has won more Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater and Udall scholarships than any other public university in the United States. K-State trails only 5 private institutions in top scholarship awards (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Princeton, and Duke).

K-State is also the only research university in the country to have three national CASE/Carnegie professors of the year. All three are active teachers: Michael Wesch, 2008 national winner; Chris Sorensen, 2007 national winner; and Dean Zollman, 1996 national winner.

With such a reputation for excellence, it's no surprise that K-State's enrollment is the highest on-campus enrollment in the state. More Kansas high school seniors choose K-State than any other university in the state. Every county in the state, every state in the nation, and countries around the world are represented by students attending K-State.

Among Kansas public universities, K-State has the highest percentage of freshmen who return their sophomore year because K-State continually strives to provide students the best undergraduate experience.

Manhattan was named by Men's Journal as one of the nation's "Top 50 Places to Live in the USA", and it is easy to see why.

Manhattan, nicknamed "The Little Apple", is a vibrant, multi-faceted community of 53,000 people. It is not only the fastest growing metro in Kansas, as Riley County is ranked among the top-20 counties in the nation for economic growth. Manhattan reflects the joys and opportunities of big-city living while retaining a friendly, open atmosphere.

Manhattan has many appealing places to shop, eat and socialize. Numerous award-winning local restaurants occupy the thriving downtown area, while Aggieville -- a district of shops and restaurants just beyond campus -- continues to be popular with students.

There are several beautiful parks and walking trails located throughout the city, while picturesque Tuttle Creek Reservoir sits just five miles from campus for seasonal swimming, water skiing and boating.

Add it all up, and you have what has been ranked as the #1 quality of life among American small cities.

In addition to learning about K-State Rowing and how it might be the right fit for your college career, the links provided above will help answer broader questions about becoming a collegiate athlete at an NCAA institution. All prospective student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. We have also provided you a link to information on NCAA academic requirements for incoming freshmen to be eligible to compete in athletics.

If you have more questions about K-State Rowing or would like to schedule an official or unofficial recruiting visit, feel free to contact Assistant Coach Grace Riekenberg via email at row4ksu@ksu.edu or by phone at 785-587-7861. We look forward to meeting you!

Lastly, in an effort to keep the recruiting process fair the NCAA has instituted rules on who can be contacted by members of the coaching staff and at what stage in her high school career. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with these rules as well.